Address to the House of Representatives, Statements by Members

Friday 13 February 2025

As the co-founder and CEO of Missing School, Megan Gilmour has dedicated more than a decade to ensuring that children with serious medical and mental health challenges stay connected to their learning and peers. Up to one in three children, approximately 1.2 million students, are at risk of missing school for months to years due to complex health issues. These absences can lead to social isolation and have long-term impacts on their opportunities and mental health. Megan's personal experience with the critical illness of her son, Darcy, gave her a front-row seat to the devastating impact of disconnection from school.

This led her to establish Missing School in 2012 to bridge the gap between students and their classrooms. Under Megan's leadership, Missing School has launched Australia's first national report on chronic school absence through illness, pioneered a world-first school telepresence service to keep kids virtually present in class, and innovated for policy progress. Her work has transformed education access for some of our most vulnerable young Australians. As we begin the 2025 school year, Megan's relentless advocacy reminds us of what can be achieved. If we back policy and technology to end school isolation, we can ensure that no child is left behind.